764 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



on till" (irjianic composition of peppermint. The results show that with the excep- 

 tion of nitrogen the relative proportions of the organic constituents were l)ut sliglitly 

 affected, the only marked effect of the fertilizers ai)plic(l lieing either to increase or 

 decrciise the yield. 



Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by dead forest leaves, E. Henry {Ann. 

 Sri. Agron., ,-'. scr., I'.iOJ-S, II, Ao.s-. ^, pp. 313-320; 3, pp. 321-327).— OhservaXions 

 are recorded from which the conclusion is drawn that dead forest leaves, either 

 alone or mixed with soil, have the jiower when resting upon a moist substratum of 

 soil to lix tlie free nitrogen of the air. The dead leaves of forests growing on poor 

 dry soils do not lix nitrogen at all or only in insignificant amounts. 



On the decomposition of dead leaves in forests, E. Henry {Ann. Sci. Agron., 

 2. ser., li)02-3, II, No. 3, pp. 328-333). — The observations recorded show that in case 

 of leaves kept in zinc boxes the salts of this metal formed retarded decomposition 

 of the leaves to a marked extent. Decomposition was most rapid in summer and 

 almost ceased in winter. Leaves of the oak {Quercus robur), which are tough and 

 rich in tannin, were decomposed more slowly than the leaves of hornbeam ( Carpi- 

 nux l)i:tiiliis). 



Fertilizers for ne\v land, C. A. Mooeks ( Univ. Tennessee Record, 7 {1904), No. 1, 

 pp. 31, 32). — In field experiments with potatoes, beans, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, 

 and radishes on naturally fertile and durable new land containing more than the 

 average amounts of phosphoric acid and nitrogen for East Tennessee soils, it was 

 found nevertheless that applications of quickly available phosphoric acid and nitro- 

 gen gave profitable returns. The nitrates increased the vigor of the plants, while the 

 phosphoric acid hastened maturity. 



On the phosphoric acid of Thomas slag-, T. Knosel {Cheni. Zfg., 28 {1904), 

 No. 4, pp. 38, 39). — The author explains the merits of his patented ])rocess for the 

 treatment of Thomas slag with concentrated sulphite solution. 



Florida phosphate trade {Engineer and Min. Jour., 77 {1004), No. 7, p. 285). — 

 Statistics of exports of Florida phosphate during 1903 are given. These amounted 

 to ()17,9S1 long tons. 



Perchlorate in nitrate of soda, A. Yekwei.i {Client. Weekhhid, 1 {1903), pp. 155- 

 159; abs. in Chem. CentbL, 1904, I, No. 3, pp. 206, 207).— The author claims that it is 

 not established that the injurious effect observed from time to time in case of plants 

 fertilized with nitrate of soda is due to perchlorate. He claims that nitrates contain- 

 ing large amounts of perchlorate have often been used without injurious effect, while 

 on the other hand the use of nitrate practically free from perchlorate has in some 

 cases resulted in serious injury. 



On the action of perchlorate in nitrate of soda, B. Hjollema {('liem. Weelhkid, 

 1 {1903), pp. 125-129; abs. in Chem. CentbL, 1904, I, No. 3, p. 206).— \ reply to the 

 article by Yerweij noted al)Ove. 



FIELD CEOPS. 



The culture substations, A. V. Stubenrauch {California Sta. Rpt. 1902-3, pp. 

 161-194). — The field work of the California substations for the season of 1901-2 is 

 summarize<l (for that in horticulture see p. 773). 



At the Foothill Substation near Jackson fertilizer experiments were conducted with 

 oats, wheat, and barley grown as hay crops. The most profitable returns were 

 obtained on granite soil from the use of 80 lbs. per acre of nitrate of soda applied 

 alone. Lime proved improfitable. On red soil an ajiphcation of 800 lbs. of Thomas 

 phosphate and 160 lbs. of nitrate of soda per acre gave a profit of $11.70, which was 

 second to the returns for nitrate of soda alone. In this experiment half of the nitrate 

 was applied in January and the other half in March. 



Brief notes are given on a number of saltbushes and grasses grown at the Southern 



